Decision No. 25/2014/QĐ-TTg stipulates the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the General Department of Environment under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Pursuant to …;

||| Regulations on functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of

The Environmental General Department is under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

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Pursuant to the Law on Organization of the Government dated December 25, 2001;

Pursuant to Decree No. 36/2012/NĐ-CP dated April 18, 2012, of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of Ministries and ministerial-level agencies;

Pursuant to Decree No. 21/2013/NĐ-CP dated March 4, 2013, promulgated by the Government, stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment;

At the proposal of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment,

The Prime Minister issues this Decision to regulate the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Environment Administration under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

Article 1. Position and Functions

1. The Environmental General Department is an agency under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment, performing the function of advising and assisting the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to manage state administration and enforce laws on the environment throughout the country; managing and implementing environmental public services as prescribed by law.

2. The Environmental General Department has legal personality, a seal with the National Emblem, its own account, and headquarters in Hanoi City.

b) Draft five-year and annual socio-economic development plans for the province; major economic and social balances for the province; draft five-year and annual plans, programs, projects, measures to organize and implement tasks related to socio-economic development, finance-budget, planning-investment, and other tasks within the scope of state management of the Department of Finance as prescribed by law;

1. Draft for the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment to submit to competent authorities or promulgate within their authority:

a) Law projects, draft resolutions of the National Assembly; draft ordinances, draft resolutions of the Standing Committee of the National Assembly; draft decrees, resolutions of the Government; draft decisions, directives of the Prime Minister; draft circulars, decisions of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and other documents on the environment;

b) Strategies, plans, programs, projects, inter-provincial, inter-regional, and national environmental plans in the fields of prevention and control of pollution; management of waste, hazardous waste; remediation of pollution, environmental accidents, environmental degradation, and improvement of the environment; biodiversity; environmental health; air, water, soil quality; activities, handling, and disposal of residual chemicals, waste, and chemical containers according to the provisions of the law; protection of river basins, coastal areas, and islands;

c) National standards, technical regulations, indicators, procedures, economic-technical norms on the environment and biodiversity.

2. Guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of regulatory legal documents, strategies, plans, programs, projects, inter-provincial, inter-regional, national, and transnational plans, national technical regulations, procedures, economic-technical norms on the environment and biodiversity after they are issued or approved by competent state agencies.

3. Guide, inspect the implementation of registration, recognition, issuance, extension, adjustment, and revocation of various environmental permits, certificates, and licenses according to the provisions of the law.

4. Carry out the work of reviewing, systematizing, inspecting the enforcement of legal regulatory documents on the environment and biodiversity; promoting, disseminating, and educating the law on the environment and biodiversity.

5. On pollution control:

a) Guide, inspect the implementation of measures to control environmental quality in urban, rural, mountainous areas, river basins, coastal zones, industrial parks, export processing zones, high-tech parks, economic zones, clusters, and craft villages; cross-border pollution control, acid rain according to the provisions of the law; identify the extent and scope of environmental pollution, determine the causes of pollution to propose control and treatment solutions; assess, forecast, warn about the status of pollution, degradation, carrying capacity, and damage levels of environmental components regionally and nationally;

b) Guide and organize the implementation of investigations to determine polluted areas across provinces, regions, and internationally; direct the construction of environmental pollution maps of localities to guide pollution control, remediation, and environmental improvement;

c) Investigate, statistically analyze, evaluate pollution sources; guide, inspect the implementation of measures to control pollution sources; directly control serious environmental pollution sources according to the provisions of the law;

d) Implement preventive, blocking, response, treatment, and remediation measures for soil, air, and water pollution; pollution caused by accidents according to the provisions of the law; coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities in advising competent state agencies to mobilize resources to respond to and remediate pollution caused by accidents;

đ) Guide, inspect the implementation of legal provisions on environmental protection in importing scrap materials for production; monitor and evaluate environmental issues related to the importation and use of scrap materials for production;

e) Establish and submit to competent authorities for promulgation or promulgate within their authority lists of scrap materials permitted for import as raw materials for production.

6. On waste management and environmental improvement; protection of river basin, coastal, and island environments:

a) Establish and submit to competent authorities for promulgation or promulgate within their authority lists of hazardous waste;

b) Investigate, statistically analyze, forecast waste and environmental improvement, determine environmental damage and liability for compensation for environmental damage across two or more centrally-administered provinces or cities according to the provisions of the law;

c) Develop, direct, and organize the implementation of programs: source waste classification; prevention, reduction, reuse, and recycling of waste; rehabilitation of unsanitary waste landfills according to the provisions of the law;

d) Guide the investigation, determination of environmental damage, calculation of environmental damage, and determination of liability for compensation for environmental damage caused by pollution and degradation at the local level; organize the review and monitoring of projects to treat, rehabilitate, and restore contaminated areas due to plant protection chemicals, residual chemicals, and unsanitary landfills according to the provisions of the law;

đ) Guide, inspect the recovery, handling of expired or discarded products, and waste auditing for production, business, and service establishments according to the provisions of the law;

e) Guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of environmental protection work in mineral extraction activities, deposit guarantees for environmental restoration and rehabilitation for mineral and natural resource extraction activities according to the provisions of the law;

g) Establish and organize the implementation of projects, programs, and works for environmental protection, remediation, and improvement of water quality in river basins, coastal areas, marine and island regions that have been polluted or degraded in accordance with the provisions of the law;

h) Serve as the permanent member of the Interprovincial River Basin Environmental Protection Committees and the national focal point for protecting the environment in international river basins;

i) Act as the focal point to assist the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in coordinating activities among ministries, sectors, and localities to address cross-sectoral, interprovincial, and international environmental pollution issues in river basins and coastal areas; participate in interprovincial and international river basin organizations;

7. On biodiversity conservation:

a) Organize basic surveys, inventories, monitoring, and assessments of biodiversity nationwide; assess natural ecosystems on natural land areas, karst regions, unused lands that have degraded across provincial and international boundaries, and propose conservation, restoration, and sustainable use solutions for biological resources; establish and manage databases on biodiversity surveys; develop mechanisms for information exchange on biodiversity and biosafety; prepare national biodiversity reports; organize investigations, evaluations, and propose measures to prevent and control invasive alien species;

b) Develop comprehensive plans for biodiversity conservation nationwide and guide, inspect the implementation of such plans after approval; guide the establishment and review the compatibility of sectoral biodiversity conservation plans with the national comprehensive plan; guide the management of biodiversity corridors;

c) Organize intersectoral review boards for the establishment of national-level protected areas covering two or more provinces or centrally-administered cities; take the lead and coordinate with provincial and centrally-administered city people's committees to establish and manage national-level protected areas according to the Government's assignment;

d) Guide and inspect the management of invasive alien species and biodiversity conservation at biodiversity conservation facilities, including endangered species listed in the priority protection catalog excluding crop and livestock breeds;

đ) Guide and inspect the long-term storage of genetic material and specimens of protected species; guide the management and supervision of access to genetic resources and associated traditional knowledge, and the sharing of benefits from the use of genetic resources managed by the State and traditional knowledge related to genetic resources; build and manage a unified national database on genetic resources, genetically modified organisms, and genetic material of genetically modified organisms related to biodiversity;

e) Prepare and submit to competent authorities for promulgation the list of endangered and precious species prioritized for protection excluding crop and livestock breeds; the list of invasive alien species; and the list of genetically modified organisms certified as safe;

g) Assist the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in performing the duties of the focal agency of the Government for the management of biosafety regarding genetically modified organisms; products and goods derived from genetically modified organisms; assist in the permanent operation of the Intersectoral Steering Committee for implementing the National Action Plan on Biodiversity Conservation and Biosafety, and related issues concerning nature conservation and biodiversity;

h) Take the lead and coordinate with functional agencies of ministries, sectors, and localities to compile the Red Book of Vietnam;

8. On environmental impact assessment and review:

a) Organize reviews of strategic environmental impact assessments of strategies, plans, and programs within the authority of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; organize reviews and submit to the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment for approval environmental impact assessment reports and environmental protection programs within his authority;

b) Organize inspections and confirm the implementation of environmental protection works and measures serving the operational phase of investment projects that have had their environmental impact assessment reports approved by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; organize inspections and confirm the implementation of detailed environmental protection programs that have been approved by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment;

c) Organize reviews of rehabilitation and environmental restoration projects in mineral extraction activities within the authority of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; organize inspections and confirm the implementation of requirements for rehabilitation and environmental restoration in mineral extraction activities as stipulated by law;

d) Manage activities related to reviewing strategic environmental impact assessments; reviewing and approving environmental impact assessment reports; registering environmental protection commitments nationwide as stipulated by law and building an environmental impact assessment database;

đ) Organize supervision of the implementation of environmental protection measures during the construction and trial operation phases of investment projects as assigned by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment;

e) Manage the activities of preparing environmental impact assessment reports by service organizations providing such services as stipulated by law;

g) Guide the implementation of regulations on strategic environmental impact assessments, environmental impact assessments, environmental protection commitments, environmental protection programs, and the preparation of files for inspection and confirmation of the implementation of environmental protection works and measures serving the operational phase of investment projects;

h) Organize comprehensive environmental impact assessments of key areas; investigate and assess transboundary environmental impacts; conduct strategic environmental assessments of development plans and programs as assigned by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment;

i) Propose the preparation of an environmental impact assessment report for investment projects that pose potential risks of causing pollution and environmental degradation not yet included in the list of projects required to prepare such reports under the law.

9. On environmental monitoring:

a) Manage environmental monitoring activities nationwide; establish and manage the national environmental monitoring system;

b) Guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of the overall planning of the national environmental monitoring system, the national environmental monitoring program, biodiversity monitoring activities, analytical arbitration, and calibration of environmental monitoring equipment;

c) Guide, inspect ministries, sectors, localities, production facilities, and other organizations in their environmental monitoring activities;

d) Guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of regional, provincial, and cross-border environmental monitoring programs, environmental monitoring programs at hotspots and sensitive areas;

đ) Participate in global environmental monitoring networks and global environmental response networks;

e) Organize research and application of new methods and technologies in environmental monitoring;

g) Manage environmental monitoring data and biodiversity data;

h) Establish, guide, inspect, and organize the implementation of environmental statistics indicators, environmental and biodiversity indices according to the provisions of the law;

i) Lead the preparation and publication of national reports on the environment, biodiversity, and environmental health; guide ministries, sectors, and localities in preparing reports on the environment, biodiversity, and environmental health;

10. On environmental health:

a) Lead the establishment of the national environmental health profile; inspect, supervise, and evaluate the national environmental health program;

b) Identify and warn about environmental factors with high risk to human health, prevent and reduce the impacts of the environment on community health;

c) Serve as the focal point for the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in cooperation with international organizations or international conventions in the field of environmental health; participate in the global environmental health network.

11. On environmental information and materials:

a) Establish and manage the national environmental information, material, and database system; direct the collection, management, statistical analysis, storage, and provision of environmental data by ministries, sectors, and localities;

b) Compile and publish environmental information in accordance with the provisions of the law;

c) Guide the implementation of regulations on submission, provision, and sharing of national environmental information and materials according to the provisions of the law.

12. On international cooperation in the field of the environment:

a) Propose participation in negotiations and signing of international treaties and agreements; participate in international organizations on the environment and biodiversity according to the division of labor or authorization of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; serve as the national focal point for international treaties in the field of the environment that Vietnam has joined, signed, or negotiated: the Convention on Biological Diversity, the Ramsar Convention, the Cartagena Protocol, the Nagoya Protocol, the Stockholm Convention, the Basel Convention, the Rotterdam Convention (PIC), the Global Tiger Initiative (GTI), the ASEAN Biodiversity Center Agreement (ACB), and other international treaties in the field of the environment and biodiversity according to the division of labor of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment; participate in intergovernmental activities on the Strategic Approach to International Chemicals Management (SAICM);

b) Lead the preparation of nomination files for recognition of internationally important wetlands under the Ramsar Convention, nomination files for recognition of (ASEAN Heritage Parks), nomination files for awarding ASEAN Sustainable City Awards;

c) Lead the development of international cooperation programs, projects in the field of the environment and biodiversity; implement international cooperation programs and projects on the environment and biodiversity according to the division of labor of the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

13. On environmental science and technology:

a) Guide and organize the implementation of technical reviews, appraisals, and evaluations of pollution treatment works, equipment, and technologies; guide and inspect environmental appraisal work according to the provisions of the law;

b) Establish and organize the implementation of programs and experimental models on sustainable and environmentally friendly production and consumption, cleaner production, clean energy, and renewable energy;

c) Organize research, application, and deployment of scientific and technological progress in environmental protection and environmental technology development; establish and organize the implementation of experimental projects, programs applying scientific and technological advances in environmental protection;

d) Prepare, submit to competent authorities for issuance, or issue within their authority lists of biological products used for preventing, reducing, and treating pollution; lists of biological products causing environmental pollution prohibited from importation; lists of encouraged environmental technology transfers, restricted environmental technology transfers, and banned environmental technology transfers.

14. On communication and raising public awareness about the environment:

a) Lead and coordinate with ministries, sectors, and localities in building and developing environmental and biodiversity communication and education networks;

b) Lead and coordinate with mass media agencies in implementing environmental and biodiversity communication programs; publish environmental and biodiversity communication materials according to the provisions of the law;

c) Organize the Vietnam Environmental Award, other environmental contests and awards according to the provisions of the law; assist the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment in unified state management of environmental awards.

d) Direct, inspect, review, and organize the implementation of the framework program and training materials for specialized and vocational training in the fields of environment and biodiversity according to their authority; participate in inspections, checks, and supervision of training activities related to the environment and biodiversity in accordance with the provisions of the law;

đ) Develop, disseminate, and promote effective models in the fields of environment and biodiversity;

e) Guide and inspect the socialization of environmental protection and biodiversity conservation activities in accordance with the provisions of the law.

15. Regarding inspection, examination, complaint resolution, and denunciation handling:

a) Carry out specialized inspection functions for environmental protection and biodiversity conservation throughout the country;

b) Inspect and examine compliance with laws on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation, technical regulations, and management rules in the field of environment; handle violations of laws on environmental protection and biodiversity conservation according to the provisions of the law throughout the country;

c) Implement anti-corruption tasks; participate in receiving citizens; resolve disputes, complaints, denunciations, and suggestions from organizations and individuals in the field of environment according to the provisions of the law;

d) Guide and organize the implementation according to their authority of establishing, amending, and supplementing the list of serious pollution sources that need thorough treatment, confirming that serious pollution sources have completed thorough treatment; inspect the work of thoroughly treating serious pollution sources, the implementation of targeted support from the state budget for thoroughly treating some serious pollution sources in public welfare areas according to the provisions of the law.

16. Build, participate in building, inspect, and supervise the implementation of mechanisms and policies regarding: Payment for environmental services, taxes, fees, other revenue sources, and incentives related to environmental protection according to the division of labor by the Minister; build and guide the management of wastewater and exhaust gas emission quotas; organize the implementation of environmental public services according to the provisions of the law.

17. Take the lead in guiding professional tasks and key activities in environmental protection and biodiversity conservation for ministries, sectors, and centrally governed cities and provinces; aggregate and balance annual environmental service funding needs of ministries, sectors, and localities according to the division of labor by the Minister; organize inspections and evaluations of environmental protection activities funded by environmental service funds for ministries, sectors, and localities.

18. Implement administrative reform in the field of environment according to the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment's administrative reform program and plan.

19. Manage organizational structures, job positions, civil servant staffing levels, and the number of employees in public service units; implement salary systems and incentive policies; appoint, reappoint, transfer, dismiss, resign, assign, retire, terminate employment; reward and discipline; provide professional and vocational training for civil servants and officials under the jurisdiction of the Environmental Protection Administration according to the law and the分级任务如下：

20. Manage financial resources and assets assigned according to the classification of the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment and the provisions of the law.

21. Perform other tasks and powers delegated by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and as stipulated by the law.

Article 3. Organizational Structure

1. Policy and Legal Affairs Department.

2. Department of International Cooperation and Science and Technology;

3. Planning and Finance Department;

4. Cadres and Civil Servants Organization Department.

5. Office.

6. The Biodiversity Conservation Department.

7. The Pollution Control Department.

8. The Waste Management and Environmental Improvement Department (including the Cau River Basin Environmental Protection Agency, the Nhue-Daya River Basin Environmental Protection Agency).

9. The Environmental Impact Assessment and Review Department.

10. The Environmental Protection Activities Supervision Department.

11. The Central Vietnam and Northwest Region Environmental Department.

12. The Southern Vietnam Environmental Department.

13. The Environmental Training and Communication Center.

14. The Environmental Monitoring Center.

15. The Environmental Information and Documentation Center.

16. The Environmental Consulting and Technology Center.

17. The Environment Magazine.

18. Institute of Environmental Science.

In this Article, the organizations specified from Clause 1 to Clause 12 are administrative organizations assisting the Director General in performing state management functions; the organizations specified from Clause 13 to Clause 18 are public service units.

Article 4. Leadership

1. The Environmental Protection Administration has a Director General and no more than three Deputy Directors General.

2. The Director General and Deputy Directors General are appointed, dismissed, or removed from office by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment according to the provisions of the law.

3. The Director General of the Environmental Protection Administration specifies the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the organizations under the Administration; appoints, dismisses, or removes from office leadership and management positions within the Administration according to the provisions of the law and the classification of cadre management by the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment.

4. The Director General of the Environmental Protection Administration is responsible before the Minister of Natural Resources and Environment and the law for all activities of the Environmental Protection Administration. Deputy Directors General of the Environmental Protection Administration are responsible before the Director General of the Environmental Protection Administration and the law for the areas of work they are assigned to manage.

Article 5. Effectiveness and Responsibility for Implementation

1. This Decision takes effect from May 15, 2014, replacing Decision No. 132/2008/QĐ-TTg dated September 30, 2008, of the Prime Minister on the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Environmental Protection Administration under the Ministry of Natural Resources and Environment.

2. The Minister of Natural Resources and Environment, ministers, heads of ministerial-level agencies, heads of government agencies, chairpersons of provincial people's committees directly under the central government, and the Director General of the Environmental Protection Administration are responsible for implementing this Decision./.